Transgender cyclists have been banned from international women’s competition, prompting the trans rider Emily Bridges to threaten legal action and furiously accuse the governing body of discrimination. The Telegraph has more.
In a move that mirrors British Cycling’s new transgender policy, as well as those now in swimming, athletics and rugby, the Union Cycliste Internationale has ruled that no transgender ‘woman’ who has gone through male puberty will be permitted to compete in the female category.
Riders could previously race provided that they had reduced their testosterone to below 5 nmol/L but this rule came under acute scrutiny in March last year when Bridges entered the British omnium championships following [his] transition.
Bridges, who had set a national record in men’s junior competition, was adamant that [he] met all of the UCI and British Cycling rules to reduce testosterone but was forced to pull out on the eve of the race after [his] competitors secretly considered a boycott.
Read more: Transgender Riders Banned From All Women’s Cycling Events
